Heel finishing tool



Oct. 9, 1934- H. B. GREENOUGH HEEL FINISHING TOOL Filed July 18, 1930 3Sheets-Sheet l Oct. 9, 1934* H. BGREENOUGH HEEL FINISHING TOOL FiledJuly 18, 1930 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 1934' H. B. GREENOUGH 6 HEEL FINISHINGTOOL Filed July 18. 1930 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 a ME/ WP GUM H MAM. l

Patented Oct. 9, 1934 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE HEEL FINISHING TOOLApplication July 18, 1930, Serial No. 468,805

24 Claims.

This invention relates to finishing tools and is herein illustrated asembodied in a tool for applying and distributing finishing medium, suchas wax, over the peripheral face of a heel and also for burnishing it.

The object of the invention is to provide an improved burnishing tool ofthe above type.

To this end one feature of the invention consists in the provision in afinishing tool of a shell m for holding a fluid finishing mediumcomprising a hub extending above the normal level of the medium, a wallintegral with the hub constructed and arranged to retain an annular bodyof medium and to extend toward but terminate short of said hub above thenormal level of the medium, and ducts passing through the wall. Theopening between the hub and wall resulting from this constructionallows, notwithstanding the rotation of the tool, the introductiontherein of a fixed medium conductor for replenishing the shell withmedium as it is dispensed; and the radially extending portion of thewall prevents the medium from being centrifugally thrown out of theshell through the opening.

The invention also contemplates the provision, in a tool as describedabove, of means operated by the application of work to the tool forcontrolling the egress of finishing medium from the ducts, into whichthe medium is centrifugally m) forced, and means for distributing themedium over the surface of the work to be finished.

In each of the illustrated embodiments of the invention the means forcontrolling the egress of the finishing medium from the reservoircomprises valve elements in ducts connecting the reservoir and thework-engaging face of the tool, the valve elements normally extendingbeyond the work-engaging surface of the tool. Moreover, in each of theillustrated embodiments of the invention the finishing-mediumdistributing means also constitutes means for burnishing the surface ofthe work to be finished and is constructed and arranged to adapt thetool to changes in the position of the work as the work is presented tothe tool.

To this end one of the tools in which the invention is illustrated asembodied comprises, in combination with a finishing-medium reservoir andsupply means as above described, a plurality of so burnishing elementsmounted side by side in sets, the elements being mounted and arranged soas to be centrifugally swung into contact with the work when presentedto the tool as the tool is rotated and also relatively fixed burnishingsurfaces disposed between the sets of burnishing elements. The inventionalso contemplates the combination, in a finishing tool of the typereferred to, of burnishing elements as above mentioned with afinishing-medium reservoir, ducts connecting the reservoir with thework-engaging face of the tool, and means operated by the application ofwork to the tool for controlling the egress of medium through the ducts.The illustrated burnishing elements of this embodiment of the inventionare arranged in sets, as above stated, which are peripherally spaced,successive sets being in staggered relation in order more evenly totreat the surface of the work brought into contact with the tool. Asherein illustrated, the sets of burnishing elements are separatedlaterally and their staggered relation is preserved by means of websdisposed between the laterally spaced sets and connecting the relativelyfixed peripherally spaced burnishing surfaces. The rotatably mountedburnishing elements employed in this embodiment of the inventioncomprise leaves which, as the tool is rotated, are centrifugally movedinto contact with the work and envelop the surface of the heel to befinished along a line extending heightwise thereof. This embodiment ofthe invention is thus also constructed and arranged to adapt itself tochanges in the position of the work as the work is presented to the toolas well as to adjust itself in conformity with the surface of workhaving a surface of varying contour as the work is presented to thetool.

In another tool in which the invention is illustrated as embodied and inaccordance with another feature of the invention, a plurality ofperipherally spaced burnishing elements are provided in combination in aburnishing tool with a reservoir and means operated by the applicationof work to the tool for controlling the fiow of medium from thereservoir to the work-engaging surface of the tool at the leading edgesof the above-mentioned burnishing elements. The burnishing elements ofthis embodiment of the invention are pivoted in order to enable the toolto adapt itself to changes in the position of the work as the work ispresented thereto. The axes about which the burnishing elements arerotatable, as herein illustrated, extend transversely with respect tothe axis about which the tool is rotated.

As herein shown, the surfaces of the pivoted burnishing elements areshaped and arranged evenly to distribute medium over the surface of thework to be finished. This end is attained in the illustratedconstruction by the provision on 110 the work-engaging surfaces of theburnishing elements of channels extending from the leading edgu thereof.In the tool in which this embodiment of the invention is illustratedducts leading from the reservoir to the work-engagin surface of the toolterminate adjacent to the leading edges of the burnishing elements, andthe channels in the surfaces thereof above referred to are arranged todiverge from the leading edges of the burnishing elements from a pointadjacent to the ducts.

In the drawings,

Fig. 1 is a side elevation of one form of finishing tool in which theinvention is illustrated as embodied, a part of the tool being brokenaway and shown in section;

Fig. 2 is a plan view of the tool shown in Fig. 1 with a part brokenaway;

Fig. 3 is a side elevation of another embodiment of the invention;

Fig. 4 is a plan view of the tool illustrated in Fla 3;

Fig. 5 is a sectional elevation taken along the line V-V of Fig. 4showing also a heel as presented to the tool;

Fig. 6 is a plan view, partly in section of another embodiment of theinvention of the type illustrated in Figs. 3, 4 and 5;

Fig. 'I is a sectional elevation of the tool illustrated in Fig. 6 takenalong the line VII-VII;

Fig. 8 is a sectional view taken along the line VIII-VIII of Fig. 6; and

Fig. 9 is a perspective view of a work-engaging element of the tool asillustrated in Fig. 6.

Each of the illustrated tools constituting one embodiment of theinvention comprises a shell 10 adapted to hold a fluid finishing mediumand which is centrally bored for the reception of a rotating spindle 12.The shell 10 of a tool of the type illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2 issecured to the end of the spindle 12, the normal position of which issubstantially vertical, by means of check nuts 14 and 16 engagingopposite sides of the hub 1'7 of the shell 10, and by means of which theshell 10 may be adjustably clamped in any desired position on the end ofthe spindle 12. Each of the shells 10, as illustrated in the embodimentof the invention shown in Figs. 3 and 7, is positioned axially on theshaft 12 by means of a collar 18 which may be adjustably clamped on thespindle 12 by means of a set-screw 20. Each of these shells 10 is alsosecured against upward axial and rotative movement with respect to theshaft 12 by means of a key 22 pivoted to the shaft on a pin 24 andarranged at its lower end to enter within a keyway 26 in the hub 17 ofthe shell. Each key 22 is held in looking engagement with the shell 10by means of a set-screw 28 threaded axially in the spindle l2 andadapted to bear on the end of the key 22 opposite to that engaging thehub 17. In order to substitute one tool of the type shown in Figs. 3 or'7 for another, it is necessary merely to unmake the screw 28, allowingthe key 22 to rotate by gravity to 1 a more central position out of thekeyway 26,

whereupon, after an interchange of tools, the screw 28 may again be madeup against the key 22, thereby locking the shell 10 to the spindle 12.The shell 10 in each tool, as illustrated, constitutes in effect areservoir the retaining walls of which comprise the hub 17, bottom andcylindrical side walls 30 and 32 respectively, the hub and side wallsbeing arranged to extend above the normal level of the medium, and alsoa substantially horizontally disposed upper wall 34 extending radiallyinwardly toward the axis of the spindle 12 and partially closing thespace within the shell 10. The annular or ring-shaped opening remainingbetween the inner edge of the wall 34 and the hub 17 of the tool allowsthe introduction into the reservoir at all times of a fixed mediumconductor (not shown) by means o which the reservoir can gradually andcontinuously be filled as the medium is delivered by the tool to thework notwithstanding continuous rotation of the tool.

In all of the embodiments of the invention herein illustrated, passagesor ducts 36 (Fig. 8) are provided by tubes 38 having upset ends at theouter work-engaging surfaces of the tools, constituting valve seatstoward which balls 40 are urged by springs 42 which also allow the balls40, normally extending beyond the work-engaging surfaces of the tools,to be depressed within the tubes 38 when a heel is presented to thework-engaging surface of the tool, as illustrated in Fig. 8. The innerends of the springs 42 are supported by bushings 44 and the tubes 38 aresecured in the shells 10 by means of set-screws 46.

It will now be apparent that, as any of the 11- lustrated tools arerotated, the finishing medium in the reservoirs of the tools will becentrifugally forced into the ducts 36. Normally, as the tools are thusrotated, the balls 40 prevent egress of any medium to the work-engagingsurfaces of the tools, but whenever work is presented thereto the balls40 which normally extend beyond the work-engaging surface of the toolsare depressed within the tubes 38, thereby opening the outlets of theducts and allowing medium to flow from the reservoir until the balls 40pass out of contact with the work.

In the embodiment of the invention illustrated in Fig. 1, thework-engaging surface of the tool is constituted by a rib 48 extendingcontinuously 116 around and obliquely across the periphery of the shell10 forming the medium reservoir. As herein illustrated, thework-engaging face of the rib 48 is slightly arcuate and narrower thanthe face of the work to be finished and is constructed and arranged sothat as the tool is rotated the rib contacts continuously with the workto be finished between one extreme and another heightwise thereof. Thisresult is obtained in the illustrated construction by so disposing therib 48 that the distance between one of its extremes in an axialdirection and its other extreme in the opposite direction issubstantially equal to the height of the work to be finished.

It will now be understood that as the tool of the type illustrated inFigs. 1 and 2 is rotated, a piece of work being presented thereto, thework-engaging surface of the rib will operate alternately in oppositedirections heightwise of the heel and, owing to the relatively smallpoint of contact between the work and the tool at any time, the tool canadapt itself to changes of position of the work as it is moved to causea transfer of the point of contact of the tool and the work from onebreast corner thereof to the other. It is now apparent that by the useof a tool of a type such as described above, the finishing medium may beevenly distributed over a piece of work to be finished and that the workmay be burnished simultaneously with the distribution of finishing 145medium, both of which operations may be effected evenly over the entiresurface of the heel to be finished irrespective of ordinary variationsin its contour.

The finishing surface and medium distributing 120' means, as illustratedin the embodiment of the invention indicated in Figs. 3, 4 and 5,comprises a plurality of peripherally spaced burnishing elements 50connected by relatively narrow webs 52, successive webs being instaggered relation, as illustrated in Fig. 3. As illustrated in Figs. 3and 4, the finishing medium ducts 36 above referred to are centrallydisposed within the burnishing elements 50. Mounted to swing on screws54 extending across openings included by the burnishing elements 50, thewebs 52 and flanges 56 and 58,

s respectively, extending outwardly from the shell v 10, are leaves 60arranged side by side in sets, laterally adjacent sets being supportedby one of the screws 54. As shown in Fig. 3, the sets of leaves 60, alsoindividually rotatable on the screws 54, completely fill the spacelaterally between the flanges 56, 58 and the webs 52, as a result ofwhich corresponding groups of leaves in successive sets thereof are alsostaggered as well as successive webs 52. It will be apparent from theabove that in the operation of the tool illustrated in Figs. 3, 4 and 5,when the tool is rotated the leaves 60 will be centrifugally urgedtoward their extreme outward position, as shown in Fig. 4. Upon thepresentation of work to be finished to the tool, the leaves 60 will thusbe centrifugally held in contact with the surface of the work to befinished and therefore adapt the tool for operation on heels of varyingcontour since the leaves 60 tend to envelop the surface of a heel to befinished along a line extending heightwise thereof, as indicated in Fig.5. Furthermore, owing to the staggered relation of the groups of leaves60 above mentioned, it is apparent that as the point of contact of thetool and the heel is transferred from one breast cornerto the other theheel will be completely finished heightwise thereof in the vicinity ofthe points of contact between the tool and the work.

The tool in which the invention is illustrated as embodied in Figs. 6and '7 is also constructed and arranged to adapt itself to changes inthe position of the work as it is presented to the tool by virtue ofself-alining T-shaped finishing elements 62 which are received betweenperipherally spaced burnishing surfaces 64, arcuate in cross-section asillustrated in Fig. 8. The finishing elements 62 are freely mounted onpins 66 disposed transversely with respect to the axis of the spindle 12and hence are caused, when a heel is held thereagainst, to rotate aboutthe pins 66 until their work-engaging faces 68 are alined with the heelsurface. While the faces 68 of the elements 62 are illustrated as beingsubstantially straight for use in connection with heels havingsubstantially straight edges, it is to be understood that it is withinthe scope of this invention to form the faces 68 in any desired shape solong as they are formed in accordance with that of the surface of thework to be finished.

The outlets of the ducts 36 in this embodiment of the invention aredisposed closely adjacent to the leading edges of the finishing elements62 in order that in the operation of this type of tool finishing mediumexuded from the ducts 36 will immediately be caught and distributedevenly over the surface of the work to be finished by the finishingelements 62. The distribution of medium is further facilitated byV-shaped channels 70 in the faces 68 of the elements 62, which channelscause the medium retained therein gradually to be moved across thesurface of the work at either side of the central portion thereof as thetool is rotated.

The webs 52 in the embodiment of the invention illustrated in Figs. 3, 4and 5 and the burnishing surfaces 64 serve not only the purposes alreadyset forth but also to insure a steady action of the finishing tool sincethey are substantially continuous with the work-engaging faces of theburnishing elements 50 and 62 respectively.

In the operation of the last-mentioned embodiment of the invention, thework held against the tool causes the elements 62 as they come intocontact with the work to rotate about the pins 66 until their contactingsurfaces are in alinement. Simultaneously, owing to the operation of thevalves in the ducts 36 as above described and the centrifugal forceresulting from the medium being rotated within the reservoir, finishingmedium is supplied to the work-engaging face of the tool. The medium isthence distributed as above described and the surface of the work isfinished by the action of the elements 62.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire tosecure by Letters Patent of the United States is:

1. A heel finishing tool arranged to rotate continuously about asubstantially vertical axis having, in combination, a reservoir forholding a fluid finishing medium comprising walls shaped and arranged toprevent medium therein from being centrifugally moved therefrom and aringshaped opening concentric with said axis to allow the introductioninto the reservoir of a fixed medium conductor while the tool isrotating, said reservoir also comprising passages leading to thework-engaging face of the tool into which passages the finishing mediumis centrifugally forced when the tool is rotated, means for controllingthe egress of finishing medium from said reservoir, and means fordistributing the medium over the surface of the work to be finished.

2. A heel finishing tool arranged to rotate continuously about asubstantially vertical axis having, in combination, a fluidfinishing-medium reservoir comprising walls shaped and arranged toprevent medium therein from being centrifugally 12o.

moved therefrom and a ring-shaped opening in the upper wall thereof toallow the introduction therein of a fixed medium conductor while thetool is rotating and an outlet at the work-engaging surface of the toolinto which the medium is centrifugally forced when the tool is rotated,means operable to allow the egress of medium through said outlet onlywhen work is presented to the tool being rotated, and means fordistributing the medium over the surface of the work to be finished andfor burnishing it.

3. A heel finishing tool mounted for continuous rotation about asubstantially vertical axis having, in combination, a fiuidfinishing-medium reservoir having integral inner and outer wallsextending above the normal level of the medium and an annular openingbetween the upper extremities of said walls to allow the introductioninto said reservoir notwithstanding the rotation of the tool of a fixedmedium conductor and an outlet at the work-engaging surface of the toolinto which outlet the medium is centrifugally forced when the tool isrotated, means in said outlet for controlling the egress of said mediumfrom said outlet operable by the application of work to the tool, andmeans for distributing said medium over the surface of the work to befin-' ished.

4. A heel finishing tool mounted for rotation about a vertical axishaving a reservoir for fluid finishing medium, the retaining walls ofsaid reservoir comprising a hub constituting its inner vertical wall, aradially disposed flange forming its upper wall, said hub and flangebeing separated by an annular opening to allow the introductiontherethrough into said reservoir of a fixed medium conductor, ductsleading from said reservoir to the work-engaging face of said tool, andmeans in said ducts for controlling the fiow of medium from thereservoir.

5. A heel finishing tool adapted for rotation about a substantiallyvertical axis having, in combination, an open reservoir for a fluidfinishing medium having an outlet at the work-engaging face of saidtool, said reservoir comprising a hub arranged to extend verticallyabove the normal level of the medium and integral therewith a shellhaving a substantially horizontal flange arranged to prevent the mediumfrom passing upwardly out of the reservoir when the tool is rotated,means operated by the application of work to the tool for allowing theegress of finishing medium from the outlet, and means for distributingsaid medium over the work to be finished and for burnishing it.

bination, a fluid finishing-medium reservoir com-' prising a shellhaving inner and outer side walls extending above the normal level ofthe medium therein, a bottom wall connecting said side walls, and a walldisposed in a plane substantially parallel to the normal exposed surfaceof the medium constructed and arranged to prevent the medium from beingcentrifugally elevated above said outer side wall as the tool isrotated, and ducts passing through said outer side wall.

'7. A rotary heel finishing tool having a shell for holding a fluidfinishing medium comprising a hub extending above and substantiallyperpendicular to the normal level of the medium and a wall integral withsaid hub constructed and arranged to enclose an annular body of medium,a portion of said wall being arranged to extend radially toward said hubbut in spaced relation thereto whereby a fixed medium conductor can beinserted into said shell notwithstanding the rotation of the tool, aburnishing surface on the periphery of said shell, and means forconducting medium to said surface from within said shell.

8. A rotary heel finishing tool having a shell shaped and arranged tohold a body of fluid finishing medium in an armular form, said shellcomprising a hub and an outer side wall extending above the level of themedium, a wall disposed below the level of the medium and integral withsaid outer side wall and said hub, a flange extending from said outerside wall toward said hub above the level of the medium, and ductspassing through said outer side wall.

9. A rotary finishing tool having a plurality of burnishing elementsmounted side by side in sets, said elements being arranged to becentrifugally swung into contact with work when presented to the tool asthe tool is rotated, and relatively fixed burnishing surfaces on saidtool disposed between the sets of burnishing elements.

10. A burnishing tool comprising a plurality of sets of groupedburnishing elements disposed in spaced relation about the periphery ofsaid tool and adapted to be centrifugally forced against the work whenthe tool is rotated, and relatively fixed burnishing surfaces disposedbetween said sets of elements, the corresponding groups of said elementsin successive sets being in staggered relation.

11.' A rotary finishing tool comprising peripherally spaced burnishingsurfaces connected by webs, successive webs being in staggered relation,and burnishing elements disposed within recesses between said burnishingsurfaces and arranged to be moved centrifugally against the work when itis presented to the tool.

12. A rotary finishing tool comprising peripherally spaced burnishingsurfaces connected by webs, and burnishing elements disposed at bothsides of each of said webs and adapted to be centrifugally forcedagainst the work when the tool is rotated.

13. A rotary finishing tool comprising a plurality of peripherallyspaced burnishing surfaces connected by webs, successive webs being instaggered relation, and a plurality of burnishing elements in groups oneat each side of said web mounted to turn about axes parallel to the axisof rotation of the tool, the rotation of said tool causing saidburnishing elements to be centrifugally forced against the work whenheld in juxtaposition to the tool.

14. A rotary finishing tool comprising sets of relatively movableburnishing leaves disposed in spaced relation about the peripherythereof, and relatively fixed burnishing surfaces disposed betweensuccessive sets of leaves, said last-mentioned surfaces being connectedby webs.

15. A rotary finishing tool comprising a plurality of peripherallyspaced burnishing surfaces, a finishing-medium reservoir having passagesleading to said burnishing surfaces, means operated by the applicationof work to the tool for controlling the egress of finishing materialfrom said passages, and a plurality of burnishing elements mounted sideby side between said burnishing surfaces constructed and arranged to becentrifugally forced into contact with work presented to the tool as thetool is rotated.

16. A rotary finishing tool having a finishingmedium reservoir, passagesleading from said reservoir to the work-engaging surface of said tool,means for controlling the fiow of medium through said passages, and aplurality of bur- 120 nishing elements rotatably mounted side by side,said elements being centrifugally forced into contact with workpresented to the tool as the tool is rotated.

17. A rotary finishing tool having a finishingmedium reservoir, passagesleading from said reservoir to the work-engaging surface of said tool,means for controlling the flow of medium through said passages,peripherally spaced burnishing surfaces connected by webs, andburnishing elements disposed at both sides of each of said webs adaptedto be centrifugally forced against the work when the tool is rotated.

18. A rotary finishing tool having peripherally spaced burnishingsurfaces connected by webs, successive webs being in staggered relation,a finishing-medium reservoir, passages leading to said burnishingsurfaces from said reservoir, and means operated by the application ofwork to the tool for controlling the fiow of medium through saidpassages.

19. A rotary finishing tool having a plurality of peripherally spacedburnishing surfaces connected by webs, successive webs being instaggered relation, a finishing-medium reservoir, passages leading fromsaid reservoir to said burnishing surfaces, means for controlling theflow of medium through said passages, and a plurality of burnishingelements in groups one at each side of said web mounted to rotate aboutaxes parallel 150.

to the axis of rotation of the tool, the rotation of said tool causingsaid burnishing elements to be centrifugally forced against the workwhen held in juxtaposition to the tool.

20. A rotary heel finishing tool having, in combination, peripherallyspaced burnishing elements, and a finishing-medium reservoir havingoutlets adjacent to the leading edges of said burnishing elements, thework-engaging surfaces of said elements being shaped and arranged evenlyto distribute medium centrifugally forced from said reservoir throughsaid outlets over the surface of the work to be finished.

21. A rotary heel finishing tool having, in combination, a plurality ofperipherally spaced burnishing elements, a finishing-medium reservoirhaving outlets adjacent to the leading edges of said burnishingelements, means operated by application of work to the tool for allowingthe flow of medium through said outlets, and channels in the faces ofsaid burnishing elements extending from the leading edges thereof toinsure even distribution of the medium over the work to be finished.

22. A rotary heel finishing tool having, in combination, peripherallyspaced burnishing elements, a finishing-medium reservoir having outletsadjacent to the leading edges of said burnishing elements, the mediumbeing forced into said outlets by centrifugal force as the tool isrotated, means for allowing the flow of medium through said outletswhenever work is presented to the tool, and channels in the faces ofsaid burnishing elements diverging from the central portion of theleading edges thereof to insure an even distribution of the medium overthe work to be finished.

23. A rotary burnishing tool having a plurality of peripherally spacedburnishing elements rotatably mounted about axes extending transverselywith respect to the axis of rotation of the tool, a finishing-mediumreservoir having outlets adjacent to the leading edges of saidburnishing elements, and means operated by the application of work tothe tool for controlling the flow of medium to the work-engaging surfaceof the tool.

24. A rotary finishing tool having a plurality of burnishing elementshaving channels arranged to conduct said medium evenly over the surfaceof the work to be finished.

HENRY B. GREENOUGH.

